What started as a pencil-thin column of smoke this past Friday turned into something that most Star Valley residents had not seen up close until Saturday. A blazing inferno that closed the road and began to put property at risk became a reality and the visuals of the Willow Creek Fire lighting up the night sky was certainly the primary topic of discussion and action this past week.

For some residents, that reality took that step into physically trying to round up animals, working to try and mitigate potential fire on their homes and wondering what to take when evacuation orders began to be discussed.

Anna and Aaron Lancaster experienced all of those things as the first bit of smoke turned out to be right in the middle of where they had cows grazing.

“Friday we saw a little bit of smoke and I called into the school and Aaron left and rode up there and [the fire] was already on the move by the time he got up there,” Anna said.  “Just crazy flames. That was right in the middle of all of our cows so we were nervous about that.”

In the amount of time it took to get to the location, Lancaster estimated anywhere from 30-50 acres were already on fire. Aaron brought some cows down the mountain and then went back up Saturday morning looking for more.

“It was crazy watching from our house because we could see it burning all the way across the ridge,” Anna continued. “They told us to evacuate on Friday night and I asked if it was forced evacuation and they said they couldn’t force us to do anything so we stayed that night.”

Anna delivered her evacuation experience with a bit of a laugh as those working the scene got a bit more insistent.

The sheriff’s office came around on Saturday and said yeah you need to evacuate,” she added. “I didn’t know if we were going to be able to come back or not so we packed up a few things and moved our animals off the property.”

Lancaster noted that a few of her fellow football moms showed up with players in tow to help.

“They showed up and started taking pictures off the wall and some of the boys grabbed shoes and the deer mounts; you know, things they thought were important,” she chuckled. “We shoved everything in the car and realized we didn’t even have overnight bags so we were just kind of laughing about it.”

Working with animals, prepping what they could with their home and property and getting to where they could leave made time fly by.

“It was about 1:30 in the morning by the time we were going to leave so we just watched it,” she replied. “We just kind of drifted off and would wake up and watch the flames and see where it was going and we just kind of did that all night.”

Anna also noted the animals themselves had to survive where they were which was right in the middle of the action.

“On Sunday Larry [Lancaster] was still looking for 40 pair and we were still looking for 80,” Anna continued. “Aaron went up and found another 40 so that was good. They were right in the fire and they were laid down right where it was smoking and burning.”

Neighbors and friends came to help. Not just at their house, but in the back country.

“We still have 40 to find but we think they are to the north,” she said. “Skye Clark helped us and Ruby Smith grabbed some too. Nick Hunsaker and Wyatt Nield. My brother Dan and his family were all out there.”

One moment took place on Sunday that was hard to deny. That of not just rain, but hail and accumulation in an area that was on fire just a short time before.

“It was just so dry,” Anna stated. I mean, it was just burning and so dry and then it started raining and hailing like right there [on top of the fire.] The winds can change things up so much but it never did come this way. We’re grateful for those people who sent us texts and called and we said we were okay and they just showed up anyway. The community we live in is just so unbelievable. You don’t necessarily see that until it’s you.”

For Amber Hale, the storm doused their home just hours after what was an eye-opening Saturday evening.

“The outpouring of love and support and offers of help have been totally overwhelming,” she replied to SVI. “This has been such a beautiful example of what rural America and a quality community should be. From the time we found out we were being evacuated, we had 25 offers of where to stay and how people could help; it was truly humbling. We had random strangers pulling into our driveway when they saw us out, trying to get things put together, offering trailers and help. Truly, it was a beautiful experience.”